Prof D. V. R. Vithal passed away on Nov 8, 2016

Prof D. V. R. Vithal passed away on Nov 8, 2016. He had retired after decades of service as an academic at the Osmania University.

Photograph: Published by the Osmania Alumni Association

I had met him in 1964 or 1965 at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). He had taken leave from Osmania to start work on a PhD thesis. These were early days of computing in India and the Computer Society of India (CSI) was in a nascent stage. Both Vithal and I, along with many other colleagues, were drawn towards the CSI. Prof R Narasimhan was the founding President of CSI. Dr Mathai Joseph was Editor of the CSI Journal and Vithal worked closely with him. Later, Dr F. C. Kohli became the President and he invited me to Chair the Publications Committee of the CSI. Networking with pioneers of the technology and industry, like Prof R. Narasimhan, Dr F. C. Kohli, Mr Hemant Sonawala, (then) Brig. Balasubramanian and Dr P. P. Gupta was possible for anyone who was contributing to CSI activities. In addition, it was the only place at that time to present and listen to technical papers. Many of us also worked to offer courses and run certifying examinations under CSI. Then there were very well attended technical conferences. Vithal encouraged, supported and contributed to most of these activities.

It was a loss to many of us at TIFR when Vithal moved back to Hyderabad though he continued to visit TIFR frequently while his PhD effort was in progress.  However, his work at the University and his deep involvement with the CSI did not give him time to complete his PhD work. We should also note that Vithal did whatever he did for CSI without ever occupying any position – by nomination or election, except one – National Student Coordinator of CSI. His own career interests came far below his own interest in team work and serving society. I do mean this in a broader sense – it is not the computer society alone that he served. His father had been a freedom fighter, and Vithal had obviously imbibed a lot of the values of a freedom fighter. His invariable politeness in conversation and seeing the positive attributes of everyone he met were some indications of his social nature. He worked with his wife Smt. D. S. R. Krishna, a well-known lawyer, to carry out many service-oriented activities, some under the Andra Mahila Sabha. He was a true teacher to his students – not one of those instructional technicians that many are! His warm, encouraging attitude towards students and younger colleagues has impacted thousands of lives. I have never seen him wearing anything other than Khadi – not merely the shirt, but the trouser as well! He never valued material wealth and lived a simple life.

The last time I met him was in 1914 at the Annual Convention of the CSI, which honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6MrHgcuuLs

The last few years were hard on Vithal. Krishna had passed away in 2013. Vithal was suffering from a bad back. His eating habits were as Spartan as ever. His daughter, Janaki, visited him frequently and took care of him.

He will be long remembered as a teacher, a gentleman, a selfless colleague and a caring friend.